Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bhutanese counterpart, Lotay Tshering, inaugurated the Earth satellite station for South Asia satellite during the former's visit to Thimpu, Saturday, August 17, as the two countries strengthened their space ties.

Modi, who is on a two-day- visit to Bhutan, said the Earth station will help increase the communication, public broadcasting and disaster management coverage in landlocked Himalayan country.

The space station has been developed with assistance from the Indian Space Research Organization. (Reuters)